Butterflies, Turtles and Springy Things

Mourning Cloak: First butterfly of the year for me! There are a few species that overwinter at the adult stage, wedged under tree bark. Despite its "weathered appearance" it looks surprisingly good considering the winter that it endured!

Cattail seeds exploded during the recent winds, leaving a thick carpet on top of the ice. Hopefully many will grow into new plants this year. Every part of a cattail can be eaten at different stages of growth. They are an important source of food for wildlife.

Mild temperatures encouraged many turtles, including this Midland Painted Turtle to exit their muddy winter homes.

Red-eared Sliders also survived the winter.

It was a very windy day when this Red-winged Blackbird tried to keep his balance while defending his claimed territory.

Song Sparrows have returned and are singing up a storm! They switch their diet with the seasons, feeding on insects during spring and summer and seeds in fall and winter. The Song Sparrow is one of the bird world's most "polytypic" (having more than one type) with 24 to 38 subspecies recognized across Canada, the United States and Mexico!

https://abcbirds.org/bird/song-sparrow/

In their quest for insects, it looks like some Pileated Woodpeckers caused a dead tree to "explode" at a friend's property!!